How The Simpsons FAILED Ned Flanders

In this video I go into the rise and fall of everybody's neighborino, Ned Flanders. I discuss how and when Ned Flanders was flanderised in The Simpsons as well as the start of Jerk Ass Homer. I also look into how flanderization affected Kevin and Creed from The Office, Ron Swanson from Parks & Recreation, and Joey Tribbiani from Friends.

I also talk about his life in Springfield, Rod and Todd, Maude Flanders, her death, and his marriage to Edna Krabappel and how he changed because of it. Also hinting at the fact that his flanderization may be coming to an end. There may also be some logical reasoning behind why he behaved like he did.

Written by: Murray Ferguson

#Thesimpsons #Simpsons #homersimpson #nedflanders #bartsimpson

[mathieuleader]

I really dislike how Ned's change of profession to be Bart's new 4th grade teacher never went anywhere

[LukeGrayThe]

The killing of Maude fundamentally changed the character forever - because he was originally the man who had the life Homer wished for. You could even argue there was a Frank Grimes/Homer envy but between Homer and Ned. Flanders had it all and despite Homer's own laziness and ineptitude, he felt he was the one who deserved it rather than his neighbourino (it wasn't just Ned - Bart had a similar annoyance towards Rod, Todd).

However, the show doesn't do deep/heavy life altering stuff to it's main characters often and here's a helpful reminder as to why. Without realising it, the writers completely fucked the Homer/Flanders comedic relationship forever. I'm aware they did it as a way to write Maggie Roswell out of the show - but they either didn't realise or didn't care (something that's often pointed at Scully's reign - see the decision to have Homer 'not be able to read') about the consequences. Homer could no longer look at Ned with envy - as Ned was now a widower. He was looking after two children without a Mom. Homer could be a dick to Flanders before and although it often wasn't justified, it was at least softened because Flanders did indeed have a better life than Homer. But now he doesn't because the love of his life and mother of his children was dead (I'm just ignoring Homer's involvement in this - otherwise it gets too horrific).

So the entire dynamic changes and the show must somehow continue another 23 seasons and counting having lost a major foundation between the relationship of two of it's biggest characters. Hence the lazy leaning (to the extreme) on his faith as a substitute for a part of his character Ned no longer has.

[justinalvino]

My English and Theology teacher at boarding school was the man that the Simpsons creators based Ned Flanders on. His name was Alden Flanders and when I tell you that he acted exactly like early season Flanders, they were carbon copies. Alden Flanders would come into class playing the banjo and said phrases very similar to hi-diddly-ho neighborino. Easily the nicest person I have ever come across in my life.

[TheLastOfTheRealOnes]

To be fair living next to homer for years would change anyone's personality 😂

[beckheorshepls]

Honestly I think Ned Flanders was written the best in The Simpsons Movie. Ned was a perfect mix of religious satire while he still had a charm to him. He held tolerance to Homer Simpson and had a very important role in the movie. He acts as the father that Bart wishes Homer can be. When a mob is after Homer, Ned Flanders is the one to keep them safe. Ned Flanders acts as a mentor to Bart. He never tells Bart how to feel. He just states his opinion and gives Bart the space to express his feelings. He guides him. Ned is the reason Bart ends up forgiving Homer. This could've been written badly but instead it feels like Bart came to this conclusion naturally rather than a forced way. I think after The Simpsons Movie Ned's character somehow got worse.

[SeanSinclair]

You're right about almost everything in video, but not about Ralph Wiggum. He was always the extremely weird kid, including earlier in that episode you referenced. His sudden burst of talent and competence playing George Washington was the exception.

[Leelz]

Poor Ned- twice widowed with two young children. That's brutal, even for a cartoon character.

[GeteMachine]

I think a video like this should be done for Lisa. Her flanderization made her a bit unlikable for me to watch. With repetitive storylines about her social insecurity, and her more cynical outlook on people, after losing the more optimistic helpful and informed role she had, as well as the appropriate child-like traits she had in earlier seasons.

[glidershower]

IMO, Flanderization can be best characterized by: _A superficially stereotypical character that is actually well-developed and deep on scrutiny, meant to play the viewers as fools for believing the stereotype in the first place; _*_which said character's traits eventually become degraded by the successive generations of more inexperienced and less talented writers who fail to understand the previously mentioned concept, _** going on to assume the viewers are fools in the first place so the character simply becomes what they believe the viewers see them as:* A one-dimensional stereotype.

In short, _The Simpsons_ simpsonized themselves. Or how Bethesda misinterpreted the _Fallout's_ excellent retro-futurism vision with "the 50's but with more robots and radiation".

[beargreen]

Many characters exhibit Flanderization, but sometimes they revert back to bring the character happy moments and story once more

[dannybermingham]

I like that the writers of Family Guy with Quagmire and The Simpsons with Ned did nearly the same thing but to opposite ends if the spectrum. Quagmire towards pure deviancy and Ned towards moral purity. The gradual shift back of both characters towards a median had been much appreciated on my part.
Thanks for all the amazing content Lydia!!!

[daniel-vnql]

Ned Flanders decline started when Maude was killed off. he is a prime example why tv shows should not kill of characters as revenge.

[jade]

Ned was such a funny character, he did kind of get worse with time.

[JohnBainbridge]

This video got me thinking about Homer's faith, and I realized I can't think of any other character like him. There are believers, atheists, and agnostics, and then there's Homer. First, Homer has the rare distinction of being a character who has actually met God, in person. But that didn't really phase him. Most people would become instantly devout after meeting the Creator, but Homer talks to God as if he's just another guy at the bar. I think there's a lot to examine there.

[WelshGiraffa]

I personally like that Flanders is now becoming a more realistic person since his time with Mrs K and isn’t that much of a Member of the God Squad as much as he used to yes he still has the odd uh uh not in my church but it’s hasn’t been as common

[najibosman]

Ned Flanders is definitely a character who suffered with his iconic but one note love of Christianity which is definitely at its worst during the 2000s to mid 2000s it’s definitely toned down now compared to those seasons but it’s not surprising why this changed happened as well as the fact that it’s named after him

[mathieuleader]

I would have love to have seen a flashback episode with Ned working in the pharmaceutical company which he did before creating the Leftorium store.

[beanboozer]

Maybe unrelated, but in the later/latest seasons, have anyone noticed that Homer have become more of a caring and responsible dad to his kids? Shocking, I know, but I think he even stopped strangling Bart.

[kayleejazz]

I don’t think Ned becoming super religious to the point of extremism is a bad thing. After Maude died it would make sense he would turn super into religion.
This could have been a an interesting idea. Lots of people have turned to religion since someone they loved died, and while Ned was always Christian it could be like those born again Christians.
Also since his wife was the more “judgmental” Christian he might have tried to intimidate or invoke her beliefs or behaviors. Maybe believing he wasn’t a good enough Christian and that’s why she died.
Since Maude died it would make sense for him to look for a community to help him raise his two boys, and this could show how predatory some churches can be for those dealing with grief.
This could also be a way to challenge his beliefs without using Ned as a way to making fun of certain types of Christians.

Remember the episode where homer meet a gay man and was worried Bart was going to turn gay? I think that should have been a Flanders episode.
He could learn to still like religion but also learn a different perspective, instead of being the shows religious punching bag.

[badwolf]

You could say Ned went through a very Dark Mid-Life Crisis in which he was lost and trying to find meaning in it all while having to contend with Jerkass Homer and wacky Springfield.